JP2003219010A - Exchange system and exchange method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an exchange system capable of controlling connection/non- connection or the like between terminals by an operating method that can intuitionally be understandable. <P>SOLUTION: The exchange system is provided with: a display means for displaying icons of various terminals on the screen of each terminal; a detection means for detecting the correlating operation among the icons executed on the screen of each terminal; and a control means for controlling connection/non- connection among the terminals and/or connection/non-connection between an exchange and the terminals in response to the contents of the correlation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a switching system and a switching method, and more particularly to a switching system and a switching method for connecting terminals of extension lines or terminals of extension lines and terminals of extension lines to each other.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional telephone exchange or the like, when performing a connection change operation (for example, transfer), (1) a hold button is pressed, (2) a transfer destination is dialed, and (3) a transfer button is pressed. It was necessary to operate multiple buttons such as "Yes".

[0003]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Shortcut key,
By assigning a function to a certain button, such as a function button or a one-touch button, it was possible to execute one function only by pressing one button once. It was necessary to perform registration operations such as shortcut key assignment. Also, since each function occupies one button, many buttons are needed, and at the same time it takes time to find out which function is assigned to which button.
There was a mistake in pressing. Even in video conferencing devices, multiple button operations such as pressing the (1) button for each function, (2) selecting menu 1 and (3) selecting menu 2 are required to find the desired function. It took time.

Further, in a conventional telephone exchange terminal or the like, a plurality of terminals, external lines, or devices make incoming calls to the terminal itself,
It was very difficult to grasp all of them when they were connected. Therefore, I could not answer an important incoming call.

For example, when an incoming call is received from a plurality of terminals or an outside line in the own terminal, even if one wants to know where the incoming call comes from, only one or two pieces of information are displayed or the incoming call information is displayed. The information display of the current connection partner was hidden, and the displayed information was also displayed with characters such as telephone number, extension number, name, type, etc., and it was not possible to visually grasp the overall connection relationship. .

Further, in a conventional telephone exchange or the like, in order to change the connection state of a certain terminal with an outside line or a device, it is necessary to operate the terminal, and the connection state is changed from a related terminal or a dedicated management terminal. It was difficult to manage and change, and it was necessary to virtually make it look like the terminal and to install a dedicated function in the exchange.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a switching system and a switching method capable of controlling connection / disconnection between terminals by an operation method which is intuitively easy to understand. The purpose is to

[0008]

According to the present invention, display means for displaying icons of various terminals on a screen of each terminal, and detecting means for detecting association between icons performed on the screen of each terminal, A switching system is provided, comprising: a control unit that controls connection / non-connection between terminals and / or connection / non-connection between a switching device and a terminal according to the content of the association.

In the above exchange system, means for displaying the icon of the called party terminal and the icon of the registered terminal on the screen of each terminal, and the icon of the called party terminal and the second terminal on the screen of the first terminal Means for detecting that an operation of associating with an icon of a certain registered terminal is performed;
If an operation of associating the icon of the call partner terminal with the icon of the registered terminal which is the second terminal is detected on the screen of the terminal of the second terminal, the second operation is performed from the first terminal to the second terminal.
Means for generating a call to the terminal.

In the above-mentioned exchange system, means for displaying the icon of the other party's terminal and the icon of the receiving terminal on the screen of each terminal, and if a call from the first terminal to the second terminal is generated, A means for activating an icon of the receiving terminal displayed on the screen of the second terminal; and an icon of the call phase terminal and an icon of the receiving terminal on the screen of the second terminal. The means for detecting that an operation of associating is performed, and the operation of associating the icon of the other party's terminal and the icon of the receiving terminal on the screen of the second terminal are detected. Means for establishing a connection between the second terminal and the second terminal.

The above-mentioned exchange system comprises means for displaying the icon of the callee terminal and the icon of the hold terminal on the screen of each terminal, and the icon of the callee terminal and the icon of the hold terminal on the screen of a certain terminal. A means for detecting that an operation of associating is performed, and if an operation of associating the icon of the other party's terminal with the icon of the holding terminal is detected on the screen of the certain terminal, the certain terminal is put on hold. And a means for setting the state.

In the above-mentioned exchange system, there may be a plurality of icons of the hold terminal, and the melody used in the hold state may be changed by the hold terminal associated with the icon of the callee terminal.

The above-mentioned exchange system comprises means for displaying the icon of the call partner terminal and the icon of the hold terminal on the screen of each terminal, and the icon of the call partner terminal and the icon of the hold terminal on the screen of a certain terminal. A means for detecting that an operation of associating is performed, and if an operation of associating the icon of the other party's terminal with the icon of the holding terminal is detected on the screen of the certain terminal, the operation is suspended at the certain terminal. And a means for connecting the other terminal with which the call is made and the other terminal with which the call is being made.

The above-mentioned exchange system includes means for displaying on the screen of each terminal the icon of the other party's terminal, the icon of its own terminal and the icon of the other party's terminal and the figure connecting the icon of the other terminal, and the screen of a certain terminal. Means for detecting that the figure has been operated above, and means for switching the call direction between the certain terminal and the callee terminal of the terminal if the figure has been operated at the certain terminal. You may prepare.

The above-mentioned exchange system comprises means for displaying the icon of the receiving terminal and the icon of the recording terminal on the screen of each terminal, and the icon of the receiving terminal and the icon of the recording terminal on the screen of a certain terminal. A means for detecting that an operation of associating is performed, and if an operation of associating the icon of the receiving terminal and the icon of the recording terminal is detected on the screen of the certain terminal, the incoming call is made to the certain terminal. And means for recording the voice from the terminal.

The above-mentioned exchange system includes means for displaying the icon of the receiving terminal and the icon of the recording device on the screen of each terminal, the icon of the receiving terminal and the icon of the recording device end on the screen of a certain terminal. Means for detecting that an operation of associating with the other terminal is performed, and if an operation of associating the icon of the receiving terminal with the icon of the recording device is detected on the screen of the certain terminal, the call is received at the certain terminal. Means for recording the voice from the inside terminal.

The above-mentioned exchange system comprises means for displaying the icon of the callee terminal and the icon of the recording device on the screen of each terminal, and the icon of the callee terminal and the icon of the recording device on the screen of a certain terminal. A unit for detecting that an operation of associating is performed, and if an operation of associating the icon of the other party's terminal and the icon of the recording device is detected on the screen of the certain terminal, the certain terminal and the terminal Means for recording the voice of the call with the other party's terminal.

In the above exchange system, the control means sends a connection request message including a connection request table having connection source information, connection destination information and connection direction according to the content of the association detected by the detection means to each terminal. Means for transmitting from the device to the exchange device may be provided.

In the above switching system, the switching device updates the contents of the connection information table based on the contents of the connection request table and the contents of the current connection information table included in the connection request message received from each terminal. Means may be provided.

In the above switching system, the switching device may further comprise means for transmitting a connection table update notification message containing the updated connection information table to the associated terminal.

In the above switching system, each terminal is
Means may be provided for updating the screen display based on the connection information table included in the connection table update notification message received from the exchange.

In the above switching system, when a plurality of terminals receive data of the same content from the switching device, only one data may be transmitted from the switching device to the extension line.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a telephone, a mobile telephone,
Personal computer (PC), personal digital assistant (PD)
In a media exchange device such as a telephone exchange or server that controls connection of each terminal such as A), each terminal notifies the exchange device of only its own connection destination change information. Instead of inputting a special number for each function or operating multiple buttons, you can change the connection destination of the terminal by a simple operation method such as drag and drop on the terminal. By transmitting the connection information from the exchange device to the remote management device or the like), the connection information can be easily grasped on the terminal (or the remote management device or the like).

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a connection sequence.

Referring to FIG. 1, first, the terminal B transmits a connection request table describing that it wants to connect the terminals B and A to the exchange 111 (step S21). Next, the exchange apparatus 111 transmits a signal to the terminal A (step S22), and confirms that a response is returned from the terminal A (step S23). Next, the exchange apparatus 111 performs a connection process for the terminals A and B (step S24),
Finally, the switching device 111 uses the current connection information table 14
And notifies the terminals A and B of the connection information table update.
(Step S25). The display of information in the connection information table is updated together with the information in the connection information table 14. In the example of FIG. 1, it is assumed that the terminal B and the terminal A are connected in response to a request from the terminal B, but the number of terminals connected to the terminal B may be two or more, and a request from the terminal B causes a terminal other than the terminal B to be connected. You may connect two or more terminals.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a disconnection sequence.

Next, the exchange apparatus 111 performs a disconnection process on the terminals A and B (step 32), and finally, the exchange apparatus 111 updates the current connection information table 14 and notifies the connection information table update. Is transmitted to terminals A and B (step S33).

FIG. 3 shows a switching device 111 according to this embodiment.
Terminal 1 connected to the overall configuration and switching device 111
01 to 103 are shown. The exchange 111 is a telephone exchange, a server, or the like, and controls media connection.

Reference numeral 106 is an extension interface, L11 is an internal line of the switching apparatus, 105 is a CPU for controlling the entire switching apparatus 111, 104 is a memory for storing a program executed by the CPU 105 and a current connection information table, 10
Reference numeral 9 denotes an external line interface for controlling connection / disconnection between each terminal 101, 102 or 103 and the public network external line, L12,
L13 is an external line connected to a public network, 110 is a storage device that stores voice data and music data, 107 is a playback device that plays back the voice data and music data stored in the storage device, and 108 is the terminal 101, 102 or 103. It is a recording device for recording the voice from the device, the music data sent from the terminal, etc. in the storage device.

It is assumed that the extension number of the terminal 101 is "101", the extension number of the terminal 102 is "102", and the extension number of the terminal 103 is "103". The user name using the terminal 101 is “A”, and the user name using the terminal 102 is “A”
It is assumed that B ”and the user name using the terminal 103 are“ C ”.

FIG. 4 shows the internal structure of the terminal 101, 102 or 103. Reference numeral 202 is an extension interface for communicating with the exchange 111 and other terminals, 204 is a CPU for controlling the entire terminal, 203 is a memory for storing programs executed by the CPU 204 and callee information, 206 is a mouse, keyboard, buttons, etc. Is an input device, and 205 is its control device. Reference numeral 208 is a liquid crystal display for displaying characters and images, and 207 is a display control unit for controlling the liquid crystal display 208. Reference numeral 209 is a voice input device such as a microphone, 210 is a voice output device such as a speaker, and 211 is a storage device for storing music and voice.

Although the number of terminals connected to the switching apparatus 111 depends on the processing capacity of the switching apparatus, the description will be made for the case of accommodating three terminals. Switching device 111 and terminal 1
The extension line L21 connecting 01, 102, and 103 may be of any type, and may be, for example, a LAN or an ordinary telephone line. The terminals 101, 102, and 103 may be any terminals as long as they have the components shown in FIG. 4, and may be, for example, telephones, personal computers, or televisions.

In the present embodiment, a telephone exchange is assumed as the exchange, a personal computer is assumed as the terminal, a mouse is assumed as the input device 206 of the terminal, and two-way call, which is a basic function of the telephone exchange, Described below is the case of implementing the transfer, absence recording, and call recording functions. Mouse operations such as clicking, dragging, and dropping are detected by the control device 205 and sent to the CPU 204 to be sent to the CPU 20.
4 is processed.

FIG. 5 shows each terminal 101, 102 or 103.
3 is a configuration of a screen displayed on the liquid crystal display device 208.
Reference numerals 401 to 404 are icons of registered call destinations. The call destination can be registered regardless of whether it is an extension line or an outside line. 408-410
Is the terminal that is making an incoming call to itself (the terminal that is receiving the call)
Is an icon representing. Reference numerals 405 and 406 are icons for displaying the terminal (caller terminal) of the call partner of the own terminal, and 407 is an icon representing the own terminal. Reference numeral 411 is an icon representing the reserved sound source, and reference numerals 412 and 413 are icons representing terminals (holding terminals) that listen to the reserved sound source represented by the icon 411. Reference numeral 414 is an icon representing a recording device, and 415 is an icon representing a terminal (recording terminal) which is recording audio in the recording device represented by the icon 414. Reference numeral 416 is an icon representing another recording device, and 417 is an icon representing a terminal which is recording audio in the recording device represented by the icon 416.

In this embodiment, an example of updating the screen of icons and the like and an example of operation on the screen such as mouse operation will be described only for the terminal 101, and the other terminals 102 and 103 will be described.
Update of the display screen and description of the operation example are omitted. For the other terminals 102 and 103, only the notation of response operation, call operation, etc. will be described.

First, the case of a two-party call will be described. It is assumed that the terminal 101 makes a call to the outside line L12 to start a call. The liquid crystal display 208 of the terminal 101 in this case
The initial screen of is shown in FIG. Connection source information (type: extension, telephone number 101, name A) and callee information (type: external line, telephone number X, name Y) are stored in the memory 203 of the terminal in advance.
Is registered, and an icon 401 indicating a registered terminal to be a call destination and an icon 407 indicating its own terminal are displayed.

The user of the terminal 101 drags and drops the registered call destination icon 401 to the call destination terminal icon 405 using the mouse. Then, the screen of the terminal becomes as shown in FIG. On the screen of FIG.
A one-way arrow with a broken line from the icon 407 representing 01 to the icon 405 of the communication partner terminal is displayed. This display indicates to the user that the own terminal 101 is making a call to the callee terminal represented by the icon 405.

At this time, if the CPU 204 of the terminal 101 detects a mouse operation and makes a call operation to the call destination (type: outside line, telephone number X, name Y) registered in the memory 203 by the terminal 101 itself. The determination is made, and the “connection request” message including the connection request table having the table structure of FIG. At this time, the connection source information (type: extension, telephone number 101,
Name A), connection destination information (type: outside line, telephone number X, name Y) is stored in the field 302, and connection direction (both directions) is stored in the field 303. If you want to send multiple connection requests, go to column 3
A plurality of sets 01 to 305 are created, and these are collectively included in a "connection request" message and transmitted.

The connection request table is sent to the memory 104 through the extension interface 106 of the exchange 111. The CPU 105 of the exchange apparatus 111 compares the connection request table sent to the memory 104 with the current connection information table stored in the memory 104. The current connection information table has the table structure of FIG. 8 similarly to the connection request table, and by having a plurality of current connection information tables each including a set of columns 301 to 303, the connection states of all terminals and all devices can be known. Since there is no call at this time, there is no current connection information table. Therefore, the CPU 105 accepts the connection request indicated in the connection request table sent, and executes the connection process. Specifically, the connection destination information (type: outside line, telephone number X, name Y) in the field 302 is read, and an outside line that is vacant by the outside line interface 109 because the type is an outside line, in this case, the outside line L12 is captured. Then, dial the destination telephone number X.

When the other party responds, the exchange 111 executes the connection process between the outside line L12 and the terminal 101, creates a copy of the sent connection request table as the current connection information table, and then the current connection information table. The terminal 101 is notified of a "connection table update notification" message containing ". Receiving this, the terminal 101 recognizes that the connection path has been changed as in the sent current connection information table, updates the screen of FIG. 7 to the display screen of FIG.
Informs that a person call was successful. On the screen of FIG. 9, a solid double-headed arrow is displayed between the icon 407 representing the terminal 101 itself and the icon 405 of the callee terminal.

When the user A performs an end call operation such as pressing an on-hook button on the terminal 101, the terminal 101 notifies the exchange apparatus 111 that the user wants to end the call. The switching device 111 executes disconnection processing for the outside line L12 and the terminal 101, writes empty data to the above-mentioned current connection information table, and a "connection table update notification" message including the current connection information table in which the empty data is written To the terminal 101. The terminal 101 recognizes that the call is disconnected because the received current connection table is empty, and returns the screen of FIG. 9 to the screen of FIG.

Next, the following transfer case will be described. That is, there is a call from the terminal 102 to the terminal 101, and the terminals 101 and 102 start a call. During the call, the terminal 101 puts the call on hold and makes a call to an outside line (type: outside line, telephone number Y, name Z) to start the call. After that, the terminal 102 is connected to the outside line by operating the terminal 101. In addition, the terminal 1 in advance
Information of the outside line (type: outside line, telephone number Y, name Z) is stored in the memory 203 of 01.

First, the terminal 102 transmits a "connection request" message indicating that it wants to connect to the terminal 101 to the exchange 111. In the connection request table included in the connection request message, the column 301 in FIG. 8 is the connection source information (type: extension, telephone number 102, name B), and the column 302 is the connection destination information (type: extension, telephone number 101, Name A), field 303
The connection direction (both directions) is stored in. Upon receiving the “connection request” message, the exchange 111 receives the message from the terminal 102.
Notifies the terminal 101 that there is a call from the terminal 101 to the terminal 101. When the terminal 101 receives the notification, the screen of FIG. 6 is updated to the screen of FIG. 10 to notify the user A that the terminal 102 receives the call. On the screen of FIG.
A one-way arrow with a broken line from the icon 409 representing the terminal 102 making a call to the own terminal 101 to the icon 407 representing the own terminal 101 is displayed.

User A displays icon 4 indicating terminal 102
By performing a response operation by dragging and dropping 09 with the icon 405 indicating the other party's terminal,
The terminal 101 notifies the exchange apparatus 111 that the user A has recognized the incoming call. Exchange device 111 that received the notification
After performing the connection process between the terminal 101 and the terminal 102, generates a copy of the connection request table received from the terminal 102 as the current connection table, and includes the current connection table. "
Connection table update notification "message on terminals 101, 10
Send to 2. The terminal 101 which received it updates the screen of FIG. 10 to the screen of FIG. 11, and notifies the user A that the call state has been entered. On the screen of FIG. 11, a solid double-headed arrow is displayed between the icon 407 representing the own terminal 101 and the icon 405 representing the callee terminal 102.

Next, the user A uses the terminals 101 and 10
In order to put a call on hold between the two, the icon 405 representing the terminal 102 is dragged and dropped onto the icon 413 representing the hold on the screen of the terminal 101 using the mouse. Then, the terminal 101 transmits a "connection request" message including the connection request table having the table structure of FIG. 8 to the exchange 111. At this time, connection source information (type: extension, telephone number 102, name B) is stored in the column 301 of FIG. 8 of the connection request table, and connection destination information (type:
The held sound source 1, no telephone number, no name) and the connection direction (reverse direction) are stored in the column 303. Regarding the connection direction, the forward direction is the direction from the connection source to the connection destination,
The reverse direction is the direction from the connection destination to the connection source.

The switching device 111 receives this "from the terminal 101."
When receiving the "connection request" message, the connection request table included in the "connection request" message is compared with the current connection information table, and it is determined that the requested connection process can be executed, and the connection process is executed. Connects the playback device 107 and the terminal 102, and transmits the hold sound data from the storage device 110 to the playback device 107. As a result, the hold sound is played to the terminal 102. After that, the current current connection information table is output from the terminal 101. The connection request table included in the received “connection request” message is replaced with a copy, and a “connection table update notification” message including the replaced current connection information table is transmitted to the terminals 101 and 102. When the "connection table update notification" message is received, the screen shown in Fig. 11 is updated to the screen shown in Fig. 12. The second screen is displayed as an icon 413 terminal 102 representing pending terminal.

Next, the user A drags and drops the icon 401 representing the outside line terminal (type: outside line, telephone number Y, name Z) on the screen of the terminal 101 with the mouse on the icon 406 representing the callee terminal. Make an outside call. Then, the terminal 101 updates the screen of FIG. 12 to the screen of FIG. 13, and the connection source information (type: extension, telephone number 101, name A) in the column 301 and the connection destination information (type: in the column 302).
A "connection request" message including a connection request table having an outside line, a telephone number Y, a name Z), and a connection direction (both directions) in a field 303 is transmitted to the exchange apparatus 111. On the screen of FIG. 13, a dashed one-way arrow pointing from the icon 407 representing the own terminal 101 to the icon 406 representing the call partner terminal (external line terminal) is displayed.

The switching device 111 having received the request refers to the current connection information table and determines whether or not the connection destination of the terminal 101 is empty. The current connection information table shows that the terminal 102 and the reproducing apparatus 107 of the exchange apparatus 111 are connected, but the terminal 102 is any terminal or the exchange apparatus 1
Not shown to be connected to 11. As a result, it is determined that the call can be made from the terminal 101, the outside line L12 is captured, and the telephone number Y is dialed to make the outside line. When the outside line responds, after the connection process between the outside line L12 and the terminal 101 is executed, a copy of the connection request table received from the terminal 101 is generated as the current connection information table, and the "connection table update notification" including the current connection information table. The message is transmitted to the terminal 101. Terminal 1 that received it
01 updates the screen of FIG. 13 to the screen shown in FIG. On the screen of FIG. 14, a double-headed arrow is displayed between the icon 407 representing the own terminal 101 and the icon 406 representing the call partner terminal (external line terminal).

After that, the user A displays a message on the screen of the terminal 101.
The icon 413 indicating the terminal 102 on hold is displayed on the own terminal 10
1 is dragged and dropped with the mouse to the icon 406 indicating the other party to call the outside line. Then, the terminal 101 determines that this is a transfer operation, and the connection source information (type: extension, telephone number 102, name B) is stored in the column 301, and the connection destination information (type: external line, telephone number Y, name Z) is stored in the column 302. A “connection request” message including a connection request table having a connection direction (both directions) in the column 303 is transmitted to the exchange apparatus 111. The exchange which has received it detects the difference by comparing it with the current connection table, disconnects the terminal 101 and the outside line L12, and connects the terminal 102 and the outside line L12. Then update the current connection table and include the updated current connection table. "
Connection table update notification "message is sent to terminals 101 and 1
Send to 02. The terminal 101 which received it updates the screen shown in FIG. 14 to the screen shown in FIG. In the screen of FIG. 15, since the terminal 102 and the external line terminal are not currently in communication with the terminal 101, the arrow connecting the terminal 101 and the terminal 102 or the external line terminal is not displayed.

Next, changing the connection direction during a call will be described. It is assumed that the terminal 101 changes the connection direction in the order of bidirectional, forward, backward, and mute while the terminal 101 and the terminal 102 are talking.

It is assumed that the terminals 101 and 102 are already talking in both directions. At this time, the screen of the terminal 101 is shown in FIG.
It looks like 6. In the screen of FIG. 16, the terminal 101
407 representing the terminal and icon 40 representing the terminal 102
An arrow pointing in both directions is displayed between 5 and 5.

Here, the user A clicks the double-headed arrow between the icon 407 representing the terminal 101 and the icon representing the terminal 102 with the mouse. Then, the terminal 101 recognizes this as a connection direction changing operation, and the connection source information (type: extension, telephone number 101, name A) in the column 301, and the connection destination information (type: extension, telephone number 102, name B) in the column 302. ),
A "connection request" message including a connection request table having a connection direction (forward direction) in the column 303 is transmitted to the exchange apparatus 111. Upon receiving this "connection request" message, the switching device 111 compares the connection request table and the current connection table included in this "connection request" message and detects the difference between them, and as a result, The connection direction of the terminals 101 and 102 is changed from both directions to the forward direction. When the connection direction is set to the forward direction, the sound at the terminal 102
1 is transmitted, but the voice from the terminal 101 is not transmitted to the terminal 102. Then, the switching device 111 updates the current connection table so as to reflect the changed contents, and then transmits a “connection table update notification” message including the updated current connection table to the terminals 101 and 102. When the terminal 101 receives it, the screen of the terminal 101 shown in FIG. 16 is updated to the screen shown in FIG. In the screen of FIG. 17, the terminal 101
From the icon 407 representing the terminal 4 to the icon 4 representing the terminal 102
A solid unidirectional arrow pointing to 05 is displayed.

The same processing is performed every time the arrow between the icon 407 representing the terminal 101 and the icon 405 representing the terminal 102 is clicked on the terminal 101, and the terminal 101
The screen is changed as shown in FIG. 18 (reverse direction) and FIG. 19 (mute). If the connection direction is reversed, the terminal 101
Voice is transmitted to the terminal 102, but voice from the terminal 102 is not transmitted to the terminal 101. When the connection direction is muted, the voice of the terminal 101 is not transmitted to the terminal 102, and the voice of the terminal 102 is not transmitted to the terminal 101.

Next, the case of transferring an incoming call to the recording device 108 will be described. The call issued from the terminal 102 is the terminal 10
1, the terminal 101 transfers the call to the recording device 108.

First, the terminal 102 transmits to the exchange 111 a "connection request" message requesting a connection between the terminals 102 and 101. Upon receiving the "connection request" message, the switching apparatus 111 transmits to the terminal 101 a message indicating that the terminal 102 is calling. When the terminal 101 receives a call from the terminal 102, the screen is updated as shown in FIG. 20, and the user A is notified that an incoming call is coming from the terminal 102. In the screen of FIG. 20, the icon 409 indicating the terminal 102 to the icon 40 indicating the terminal 101 is displayed.
A dashed unidirectional arrow pointing to 7 is displayed.

Next, the user A who cannot respond to the call request from the terminal 102 at present but wants to hear only the message.
However, the icon 409 representing the terminal 102 is dragged and dropped onto the icon 417 representing the recording terminal 101 on the terminal 101 using the mouse. Alternatively, the user A may drag and drop the icon 409 representing the terminal 102 onto the icon 414 representing the recording device 108 on the terminal 101 by using the mouse. The terminal 101 thereby makes connection information in the column 301 (type: extension, telephone number 102, name B), connection destination information in the column 302 (type: recording device 1, no telephone number, no name), and connection direction in the column 303. A "connection request" message including a connection request table having (forward direction) is transmitted to the switching device 111. Exchange device 111
When receiving this "connection request" message, the terminal 1
It is determined that the incoming call request from 02 to the terminal 101 is rejected, and the connection according to the connection request message sent from the terminal 101 is established. Specifically, the terminal 102 is connected to the recording device 108. As a result, the voice from the terminal 102 is stored in the storage device 110 via the recording device 108. When the recording is completed, the exchange apparatus 111 updates the current connection information table, and sends a “connection table update notification” message including the updated current connection information table to the terminal 10
1 and 102. When the terminal 101 receives the "connection table update notification" message, it updates the screen shown in FIG. 20 to the screen shown in FIG. On the screen shown in FIG. 21, the recording terminal 417 is highlighted.

Next, the case of performing call recording will be described. Call recording is recording the voice of a call during a call. Here, the terminals 101 and 102
An example in which the terminal 101 records a call to and from the terminal will be described.

It is assumed that the terminals 101 and 102 are already in a call state. At this time, the screen of the terminal 101 is shown in FIG.
It looks like. On the screen of FIG. 22, an icon 407 representing the terminal 101 and an icon 405 representing the terminal 102 are displayed.
A solid double-headed arrow is displayed between and.

The user A uses the recording device 10 on the terminal 101.
The icon 414 representing the terminal 8 is the icon 4 representing the terminal 102.
Drag and drop 05 with the mouse. Then, the terminal 101 has connection source information (type: extension, telephone number 101, name A) in the column 301 and connection destination information (type:
Extension, telephone number 102, name B), first connection request table in which connection direction (both directions) is described in field 303, field 30
1 is connection source information (type: extension, telephone number 101, name A), column 302 is connection destination information (type: recording device 1, no telephone number, no name), column 303 is connection direction (forward direction)
In the second connection request table and column 301 describing connection source information (type: extension, telephone number 102, name B), column 3
02 connection destination information (type: recording device 1, no telephone number,
A “connection request” message including a third connection request table in which the connection direction (forward direction) is described in the field 303 (without name) is transmitted to the exchange apparatus 111.

Upon receiving this "connection request" message, the switching device 111 compares the three connection request tables included in this "connection request" message with the current connection table and detects the difference between them. , The terminal 101 and the recording device 108 are connected, and the terminal 102 and the recording device 108 are connected. Note that the terminals 101 and 102 are already connected. By these connections, the terminal 101 and the terminal 102
A call to and from the storage device 110 using the recording device 108
Recorded in. After that, the current connection table is updated so as to reflect the contents of the three connection request tables, and a “connection table update notification” message having the updated connection request table is transmitted to the terminals 101 and 102. Terminal 101
Receives the "connection table update notification" message, changes the screen as shown in FIG. Recording is Figure 23
The screen is displayed.

In the above-described embodiment, the exchange device that handles voices and held sounds has been described, but the present invention may be applied to a exchange device that handles still images, moving images or music instead. In this case, the data flowing between the terminals or between the exchange device and the terminal is not audio but still image data, moving image data, or music data.

In the above-described embodiment, only the connection status associated with the own terminal is displayed on the screen of the own terminal, but the connection status of all terminals managed by the switching apparatus is displayed on the screen of the switching apparatus 111. You may do it. In this case, as many sets of icons 405 to 407 as the number of terminals managed by the exchange are displayed on the screen of the exchange apparatus 111. In addition, when a certain terminal is used as the management terminal, not only the "connection table update notification" message related to the management terminal but also the "connection table update notification" message related to another terminal without being related to the management terminal , And a screen similar to the screen of the exchange may be displayed on the management terminal. Further, since each terminal is provided with a screen similar to the screen of the exchange device, it is possible to know whether or not the other party is in a call before making a call operation from each terminal.

In the above embodiment, the "connection table update notification" message is sent to each terminal, but the contents of the "connection table update notification" message sent to different terminals at the same time are the same. Therefore, after a group of terminals that receive the "connection table update notification" is set in advance, one "connection table update notification" message is sent to the extension line L21, and only the terminals belonging to the group receive the message. You may read it. Also, when a plurality of terminals simultaneously listen to the same melody, only one melody is extended line L21.
Then, a plurality of terminals may pick up the melody. As a result, it is possible to prevent a line from being congested and delayed by a plurality of the same messages, voices or music flowing on the line.
Further, by this, it is possible to prevent the data exchange from being delayed because the exchange device itself creates a plurality of the same messages, voices or music, and the processing capability is not in time.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the drag-and-drop operation with the mouse is used as the operation method, but any operation method can be used as long as the operation method and the movement destination can be designated. For example, an operation method of clicking a start point and an end point with a mouse may be used, or a touch panel may be used instead of the mouse.

In the above-described embodiment, the same effect as when the first icon is dragged and dropped onto the second icon and the effect when the second icon is dragged and dropped onto the first icon are obtained. It may be generated.

In the above-described embodiment, the icon 407 representing one own terminal and the icon 4 representing two other party terminals during a call.
Only three icons of 05 and 406 are displayed, and in this display, only a maximum of three-party call can be displayed. Can also be displayed. The number of registered call destinations, receiving terminals, recording terminals, and hold sound holding terminals may be increased according to the specifications of the exchange.

In the above embodiment, the icon representing the reserved sound source is only the icon 411, but a plurality of icons representing the reserved sound source may be displayed. In this case, a set of icons 411, 412 and 413 may be arranged on a plurality of screens. At this time, it is possible to use a hold tone with a different melody for each set. In order to realize that, a plurality of melody files may be stored in the storage device 110, and the melody files to be played may be changed depending on each set. Also, the melody file may be uploaded from the terminal so that it can be changed. In this case, a pop-up menu for uploading is displayed by an operation such as right-clicking the icon 411 indicating the held sound source with a mouse, so that the melody file held by the terminal can be selected, and the selected file is stored in the storage device of the terminal. It suffices to transmit from 211 to the storage device 110 of the exchange device.

Although the connection between the own terminal and the held sound source has not been described in the above embodiment, for example, by dragging and dropping the icon 411 representing the held sound source onto the icon 407 representing the own terminal, It is also possible to connect a hold sound source and provide a function for easily listening to the hold melody on the own terminal.

Although the conference call is not explained in the above embodiment, for example, the icon 4 indicating the registered call destination is displayed.
01 is dragged and dropped to the icon 405 representing the other party's terminal, and the icon 402 representing another registered destination is added to the icon 406 representing another destination.
You can make a conference call by dragging and dropping.

In the above embodiment, the case where the connection request of the terminal 101 is accepted by all other terminals has been described, but the connection request accepted by the terminal may be limited. In this case, the connection authority for each terminal is set in advance in the storage device 110 of the exchange device 111, and when the exchange device 111 receives the "connection request" message, the connection destination requests the connection request of the connection source. Whether or not the user has the right to accept is determined by referring to the storage device 101, and if there is no right, the "request reject" message is sent to the terminal that sent the "connection request" message without performing the connection process. do it.

In the above-described embodiment, the function of listening to the content of the voice message in real time by the own terminal while the caller terminal making the call is leaving the voice message in the absence recording device is not described. However, this function
If the icon 408, 409, or 410 representing the receiving terminal is dragged and dropped onto the icon 405 representing the callee terminal, and the icon 414 or 416 representing the recording device is dragged and dropped onto the icon 406 representing the callee terminal. This can be realized by connecting the call partner terminal and the own terminal in the direction from the call partner to the own terminal, and connecting the own terminal and the recording device in the direction from the own terminal to the recording device. Alternatively, this function drags and drops the icon 408, 409, or 410 representing the receiving terminal to the icon 405 representing the callee terminal, and the icon 414 or 416 representing the recording device to the icon 405 representing the callee terminal. If dropped and dropped, it can be realized by connecting the call partner terminal and the own terminal in the direction from the call partner to the own terminal, and connecting the own terminal and the recording device in the direction from the own terminal to the recording device.

[0072]

According to the present invention, the connection can be changed by a unified and intuitive operation, and it is possible to avoid the trouble of reading the manual for each function to learn the operation method and at the same time prevent the operation mistake. It will be possible.

According to the present invention, all the connections to the terminal and the incoming call status are visually displayed, so that the user can grasp the status at a glance and can easily perform an operation such as prioritizing and answering an important incoming call. . If the connection status of other terminals is also displayed on the screen, it is possible to know whether the other party is in a call before making a call operation, and reduce unnecessary call operation.

In the present invention, the "connection change request" can be sent and changed even for the connection not related to the own terminal, and the switching device also sends the "connection table update notification" to any terminal regarding the connection state. Because you can
Even unrelated terminals can grasp the connection status of other devices. This enables the management terminal or the like to grasp the overall connection status, and to detect a failure, unauthorized use of the terminal, etc. at an early stage.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a first sequence diagram showing an operation of a media exchange system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a second sequence diagram showing an operation of the media exchange system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration and the like of the exchange apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a screen displayed by the terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing configurations of a connection request table and a current connection request table according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a first screen displayed when the terminal makes a two-way call according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a second screen displayed when the terminal makes a two-way call according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a third screen displayed when the terminal makes a two-way call according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a first screen displayed when a terminal performs a transfer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a second screen displayed when a terminal performs a transfer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of a third screen displayed when a terminal performs a transfer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of a fourth screen displayed when the terminal performs a transfer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of a fifth screen displayed when the terminal performs a transfer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of a sixth screen displayed when a terminal performs a transfer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram of a first screen displayed when the terminal switches the connection direction according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of a second screen displayed when the terminal switches the connection direction according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram of a third screen displayed when the terminal switches the connection direction according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram of a fourth screen displayed when the terminal switches the connection direction according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram of a first screen displayed when the terminal transfers an answering machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram of a second screen displayed when the terminal transfers an answering machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram of a first screen displayed when the terminal performs call recording according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram of a second screen displayed when the terminal performs call recording according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

101, 102, 103 terminals 111 exchange device 104 memory 105 CPU 106 Extension interface 107 Playback device 108 Recording device 109 external line interface 110 storage device 202 Extension interface 203 memory 204 CPU 205 Input control device 206 Input operation device 207 Display control unit 208 LCD 209 voice input device 210 audio output device

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 5K024 AA71 CC10 EE00 FF04 GG01                       GG03 GG05                 5K027 AA10 BB02 FF01 FF02 FF22                 5K049 AA17 BB04 BB19 CC08 CC11                       FF01 FF36 FF42 KK02 KK11

Claims (30)

[Claims] 1. A display unit for displaying icons of various terminals on a screen of each terminal, a detection unit for detecting association between icons performed on the screen of each terminal, and an inter-terminal unit according to contents of the association. And a control means for controlling connection / disconnection of the device and / or connection / disconnection between the switching device and the terminal. 2. The exchange system according to claim 1, wherein a means for displaying the icon of the callee terminal and the icon of the registered terminal on the screen of each terminal, and the icon of the callee terminal on the screen of the first terminal. Means for detecting the operation of associating with the icon of the registered terminal which is the second terminal, and the icon of the other party's terminal and the second terminal on the screen of the first terminal. And a means for generating a call from the first terminal to the second terminal when an operation of associating with an icon of a registered terminal is detected. 3. The exchange system according to claim 1, wherein the means for displaying the icon of the callee terminal and the icon of the receiving terminal on the screen of each terminal, and a call from the first terminal to the second terminal are provided. Once generated,
A means for activating the icon of the receiving terminal displayed on the screen of the second terminal; and a means for activating the call phase terminal icon and the receiving terminal icon on the screen of the second terminal. A unit that detects that an operation of associating is performed; and if an operation of associating the icon of the callee terminal and the icon of the receiving terminal is detected on the screen of the second terminal, the first Means for establishing a connection between said terminal and said second terminal, and a switching system. 4. The exchange system according to claim 1, wherein a means for displaying an icon of a callee terminal and an icon of a holding terminal on a screen of each terminal, and the icon of the callee terminal on the screen of a terminal A means for detecting that an operation of associating with the icon of the hold terminal is performed, and if an operation of associating the icon of the call partner terminal with the icon of the hold terminal is detected on the screen of the certain terminal, An exchange system comprising: a unit that puts the certain terminal into a call hold state. 5. The exchange system according to claim 4, wherein the hold terminal has a plurality of icons, and the hold terminal associated with the icon of the callee terminal changes the melody used in the hold state. A characteristic exchange system. 6. The exchange system according to claim 1, wherein a means for displaying the icon of the callee terminal and the icon of the hold terminal on the screen of each terminal, and the icon of the callee terminal on the screen of a certain terminal A means for detecting that an operation of associating with the icon of the hold terminal is performed, and if an operation of associating the icon of the call partner terminal with the icon of the hold terminal is detected on the screen of the certain terminal, An exchange system, comprising: a partner terminal of a call on hold at the certain terminal, and means for connecting the terminal to the partner terminal being in the call. 7. The exchange system according to claim 1, wherein a means for displaying an icon of a call partner terminal, an icon of the own terminal, an icon of the call partner terminal, and a graphic connecting the icon of the own terminal on a screen of each terminal A means for detecting that the graphic is operated on a screen of a certain terminal; and, if the graphic is operated on the certain terminal, a call direction between the certain terminal and a communication partner terminal of the terminal. An exchange system comprising means for switching between and. 8. The exchange system according to claim 1, wherein a means for displaying the icon of the receiving terminal and the icon of the recording terminal on the screen of each terminal, and the icon of the receiving terminal and the icon on the screen of a certain terminal A means for detecting that an operation of associating with the icon of the recording terminal is performed, and if an operation of associating the icon of the receiving terminal and the icon of the recording terminal is detected on the screen of the certain terminal, A means for recording a voice from a terminal receiving a call to the certain terminal, and the exchange system. 9. The exchange system according to claim 1, wherein a means for displaying the icon of the receiving terminal and the icon of the recording device on the screen of each terminal, and the icon of the receiving terminal and the icon on the screen of a certain terminal. Means for detecting that an operation of associating with the icon at the end of the recording device is performed, and if an operation of associating the icon of the receiving terminal with the icon of the recording device is detected on the screen of the certain terminal, And a means for recording a voice from a terminal receiving a call to the certain terminal, and the exchange system. 10. The exchange system according to claim 1, wherein the means for displaying the icon of the callee terminal and the icon of the recording device on the screen of each terminal, and the icon of the callee terminal on the screen of a terminal Means for detecting that an operation of associating with the icon of the recording device is performed, and if an operation of associating the icon of the other party's terminal with the icon of the recording device is detected on the screen of the certain terminal, An exchange system comprising: a unit configured to record a voice of a call between the certain terminal and a communication partner terminal of the certain terminal. 11. The exchange system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a connection request table having connection source information, connection destination information, and a connection direction according to the content of the association detected by the detection unit. An exchange system comprising means for transmitting a connection request message from each terminal to an exchange. 12. The switching system according to claim 11, wherein the switching device performs the connection based on the contents of the connection request table and the current connection information table included in the connection request message received from each terminal. An exchange system comprising means for updating the contents of an information table. 13. The switching system according to claim 12, wherein the switching device further comprises means for transmitting a connection table update notification message including the updated connection information table to a related terminal. Exchange system. 14. The exchange system according to claim 13, wherein each terminal has means for updating the screen display based on the connection information table included in the connection table update notification message received from the exchange. An exchange system comprising: 15. The switching system according to claim 1, wherein when a plurality of terminals receive data of the same content from the switching device, only one data is transmitted from the switching device to the extension line. An exchange system characterized by: 16. A display step of displaying icons of various terminals on a screen of each terminal, a detection step of detecting an association between icons performed on the screen of each terminal, and an inter-terminal connection according to content of the association. And a control step for controlling connection / disconnection between the terminals and / or connection / disconnection between the switching device and the terminal. 17. The exchange method according to claim 16, wherein the step of displaying the icon of the callee terminal and the icon of the registered terminal on the screen of each terminal, and the icon of the callee terminal on the screen of the first terminal. Detecting that an operation of associating with the icon of the registered terminal that is the second terminal is performed, the icon of the call partner terminal and the second terminal that is on the screen of the first terminal Generating a call from the first terminal to the second terminal if an operation of associating with an icon of a registered terminal is detected, and a switching method. 18. The exchange method according to claim 16, wherein the step of displaying the icon of the caller terminal and the icon of the terminal being called on the screen of each terminal, the call from the first terminal to the second terminal is performed. Once generated,
A step of activating the icon of the receiving terminal displayed on the screen of the second terminal; a step of activating the icon of the call phase terminal and the icon of the receiving terminal on the screen of the second terminal. Detecting that an association operation is performed; and if an operation of associating the icon of the callee terminal and the icon of the receiving terminal is detected on the screen of the second terminal, the first Establishing a connection between said terminal and said second terminal. 19. The exchange method according to claim 16, wherein the step of displaying the icon of the callee terminal and the icon of the hold terminal on the screen of each terminal, the icon of the callee terminal and the icon on the screen of a certain terminal A step of detecting that an operation of associating with the icon of the hold terminal is performed, and if an operation of associating the icon of the call partner terminal with the icon of the hold terminal is detected on the screen of the certain terminal, And a step of putting the certain terminal in a call holding state. 20. The exchange method according to claim 19, wherein the holding terminal has a plurality of icons, and the holding terminal associated with the icon of the callee terminal changes the melody used in the holding state. Characteristic exchange method. 21. The exchange method according to claim 16, wherein the step of displaying the icon of the callee terminal and the icon of the holding terminal on the screen of each terminal, the icon of the callee terminal and the icon on the screen of a certain terminal A step of detecting that an operation of associating with the icon of the hold terminal is performed, and if an operation of associating the icon of the call partner terminal with the icon of the hold terminal is detected on the screen of the certain terminal, And a step of connecting the other terminal of the call that is on hold at the certain terminal and the other terminal that is in the call with the certain terminal. 22. The exchange method according to claim 16, wherein a step is displayed on the screen of each terminal, the icon of the callee terminal, the icon of the callee terminal, the icon of the callee terminal, and a figure connecting the icon of the callee terminal. And a step of detecting that the graphic is operated on a screen of a certain terminal, and, if the graphic is operated on the certain terminal, a call direction between the certain terminal and a communication partner terminal of the terminal. And a step of switching, and a method of exchanging. 23. The exchange method according to claim 16, wherein the step of displaying the icon of the receiving terminal and the icon of the recording terminal on the screen of each terminal, the icon of the receiving terminal and the icon on the screen of a certain terminal. A step of detecting that an operation of associating with the icon of the recording terminal is performed, and if an operation of associating the icon of the receiving terminal with the icon of the recording terminal is detected on the screen of the certain terminal, A step of recording a voice from a terminal receiving a call to the certain terminal; 24. The exchange method according to claim 16, wherein the step of displaying the icon of the receiving terminal and the icon of the recording device on the screen of each terminal, the icon of the receiving terminal and the icon on the screen of a certain terminal. Detecting the operation of associating with the icon at the end of the recording device, and if the operation of associating the icon of the receiving terminal with the icon of the recording device is detected on the screen of the certain terminal And a step of recording a voice from a terminal receiving a call to the certain terminal, the exchange method comprising: 25. The exchange method according to claim 16, wherein the step of displaying the icon of the callee terminal and the icon of the recording device on the screen of each terminal, the icon of the callee terminal and the icon on the screen of a certain terminal A step of detecting that an operation of associating with the icon of the recording device is performed, and if an operation of associating the icon of the other party terminal with the icon of the recording device is detected on the screen of the certain terminal, A step of recording a voice of a call between the certain terminal and a callee terminal of the certain terminal; 26. The exchange method according to claim 16, wherein the control step includes a connection request table having connection source information, connection destination information, and a connection direction according to the content of the association detected by the detection step. An exchanging method comprising a step of transmitting a connection request message from each terminal to an exchanging device. 27. The exchange method according to claim 26, wherein the exchange apparatus performs the connection based on a content of a connection request table and a content of a current connection information table included in the connection request message received from each terminal. An exchange method comprising the step of updating the contents of an information table. 28. The exchange method according to claim 27, wherein the exchange further comprises a step of transmitting a connection table update notification message including the updated connection information table to an associated terminal. method of exchange. 29. The exchange method according to claim 28, wherein each terminal updates the screen display based on the connection information table included in the connection table update notification message received from the exchange device. An exchanging method characterized by having. 30. The exchange method according to claim 16, wherein when a plurality of terminals receive data having the same content from the exchange, only one data is transmitted from the exchange to the extension line. An exchange method characterized by: